Mountain View Book Club

Hello Beautiful: A novel, by Ann Napolitano. Fiction, 400 pages, Hardcover, 2023.
Books Inc, Amazon:
NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER • OPRAH’S BOOK CLUB PICK • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE WASHINGTON POST

From the beloved author of Dear Edward comes a radiant homage to Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, a profoundly moving novel about family, love, and the unbreakable bonds between sisters.

“This powerful story of family and forgiveness had me in tears. I loved it.” —Oprah Winfrey (Oprah’s Book Club)

“A celebration of love in all its forms…Napolitano’s storytelling is spellbinding.” —The Washington Post

“An extraordinary novel that pulls readers into the complexities of family life with grace and tenderness.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Set in Chicago, Hello Beautiful follows the lives of the Padavano sisters—Julia, Sylvie, Cecelia, and Emeline—whose inseparable bond is challenged when a young man, William Waters, enters their world. As William and Julia fall in love, his arrival brings both joy and upheaval, exposing long-hidden truths and redefining the ties that bind them.
Napolitano weaves a stunning portrait of four women navigating life’s joys and sorrows while supporting each other through love, heartbreak, and reconciliation.

At its heart, Hello Beautiful is an exploration of resilience and the ways family can both uplift and challenge us. Rich in emotion and brimming with compassion, this novel invites readers to reflect on the power of love and the legacy of familial connections.

Siddhartha: A novel, by Hermann Hesse. Fiction, 152 pages, Paperback, 1951.
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NOBEL PRIZE-WINNING AUTHOR • CLASSIC OF WORLD LITERATURE • A TIMELESS SPIRITUAL JOURNEY

Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha is a profound exploration of self-discovery and enlightenment, blending Eastern philosophy with Western literary tradition.

“One of the most inspiring works of the 20th century, Hesse’s writing continues to guide readers toward inner peace and understanding.” —The Guardian

“A masterful narrative about the universal quest for meaning.” —The New York Times

“Timeless and deeply human, Siddhartha resonates across generations.” —Publishers Weekly

Set in ancient India, Siddhartha follows the spiritual journey of its titular character, a young man who leaves his life of privilege in search of deeper meaning. Through encounters with spiritual teachers, indulgence in worldly pleasures, and years of reflection, Siddhartha seeks to understand the nature of existence and achieve inner harmony.
Hesse's elegant prose and timeless themes make this novel an enduring guide for readers yearning for a deeper connection to life’s truths. An unforgettable masterpiece, Siddhartha invites readers to join one man’s extraordinary quest to reconcile the material and the spiritual, the transient and the eternal.

The Anxious Generation: A non-fiction book, by Jonathan Haidt. Non-Fiction, 400 pages, Hardcover, 2024.
Books Inc, Amazon

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • LEADING SOCIAL COMMENTARY • INSIGHTFUL AND PROVOCATIVE

From the acclaimed author of The Righteous Mind and The Coddling of the American Mind comes an urgent examination of the forces shaping the mental health crisis in today’s youth and the societal challenges that lie ahead.

“Haidt’s work is a much-needed lens into the complex intersection of technology, culture, and the psychology of a generation.” —The Atlantic

“Essential reading for anyone trying to make sense of our current moment.” —The Wall Street Journal

“Jonathan Haidt illuminates the path forward with clarity and compassion.” —The New York Times

In The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt delves into the alarming rise in anxiety and depression among young people in the 21st century. Drawing from groundbreaking research and real-world case studies, Haidt explores how social media, shifting cultural norms, and parental practices have contributed to this epidemic.